KUALA LUMPUR – Yang di-Pertuan Agong Al-Sultan Abdullah Ri’ayatuddin Al-Mustafa Billah Shah will today meet 114 MPs believed to be supporting Datuk Seri Ismail Sabri Yaakob as the next prime minister.
It is believed that the king will interview them individually to confirm their support for the Umno vice-president.
It is understood that the lawmakers will arrive at Istana Negara in five batches, starting 10am.
The MPs are from Umno (37), Bersatu (31), GPS and PAS (18 each), MCA (2), and MIC, Parti Bersatu Rakyat Sabah, Parti Bersatu Sabah and Sabah Star (1 each), as well as independents (4).
Umno has a total of 38 parliamentarians. Checks of a schedule listing the names of the 114 MPs summoned to the palace showed that Gua Musang’s Tan Sri Tengku Razaleigh Hamzah is not included.
3.46pm: Umno secretary-general Datuk Seri Ahmad Maslan says there was no talk on the formation of a cabinet during MPs’ individual meetings with the Agong.
“Today, 114 MPs who submitted SDs (statutory declarations) in support of Ismail Sabri, the Bera MP, as their prime minister candidate had one-on-one interviews with the Agong.
“During their brief audience, the MPs stated their names and constituencies, and who they are voluntarily supporting,” he tells the press in front of Gate 2.
The Pontian MP says the meetings were divided into five sessions beginning 10am.
“It was a very important experience for me and the other MPs who support Ismail Sabri.
“There were a few (MPs) who had a meeting with the king virtually, but a total of 114 MPs were granted an audience.”
Asked when the swearing-in will be, he says it is up to the king.
“We don’t know when the swearing-in session will be, it is up to the wisdom of the king.
“Each MP was granted only one to two minutes with the Agong. We didn’t have time to chit-chat. His Majesty wants to solve this impasse as soon as possible.”
A general election will be called when the Covid-19 situation eases so that the mandate is returned to the people, he says.
“We hope there will be a government that cares for the people and the stability of the economy.
“When herd immunity is achieved and Covid-19 cases are reduced, we will return the mandate to the people.”
3.11pm: Bera MP Ismail Sabri has left the palace grounds in a black Lexus, accompanied by police outriders.
The popular PM candidate is seen to be in good spirits as he waved to press members.
2.49pm: Caretaker prime minister Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin arrives at Gate 1 of Istana Negara, accompanied by a motorcade. The Bersatu president is believed to be the last lawmaker to have an audience with the Yang di-Pertuan Agong today.
2.38pm: Gombak MP Datuk Seri Mohamed Azmin Ali and Deputy Dewan Rakyat Speaker Datuk Mohd Rashid Hasnon arrive in a blue-and-red bus.
Shortly after, PAS MPs arrive in a similar vehicle, with Pasir Puteh’s Nik Muhammad Zawawi Salleh waving to the waiting press.
Rantau Panjang’s Datuk Siti Zailah Mohd Yusoff is also spotted in the bus.
2.25pm: MCA president Datuk Seri Wee Ka Siong and Barisan Nasional lawmakers arrive at Gate 2 of the palace in a bus. It is believed that this is the last batch of BN parliamentarians to arrive for an audience with the king.
2:22pm: Bersatu deputy president Datuk Seri Ahmad Faizal Azumu and several party MPs are seen leaving Istana Negara.
Zahid is all smiles as he waved to journalists when exiting the premises in his personal vehicle.
1:47pm: Umno president Datuk Seri Ahmad Zahid Hamidi enters the palace compound in a heavily tinted white Lexus.
1:16pm: The most anticipated MP who is widely touted to be the next prime minister, Ismail Sabri, arrives at Gate 2 in a chartered bus, which departed from World Trade Centre Kuala Lumpur.
Baling MP Datuk Seri Azeez Abdul Rahim and Kuala Krau MP Datuk Seri Ismail Mohamed Said are also seen in the vehicle.
The most anticipated MP who is widely touted to be the next prime minister, @IsmailSabri60, arriving at Gate 2 of the palace grounds in a chartered bus that departed from World Trade Centre Kuala Lumpur. pic.twitter.com/tgXCVnXdUA
— TheVibes.com (@thevibesnews) August 19, 2021
1pm: According to a Sarawak lawmaker, who wishes to remain anonymous, each parliamentarian is given a minute’s audience with the king.
“During the individual meeting, they are asked to state their names and constituencies before affirming whether they support the Bera MP (Ismail Sabri) as prime minister.”
12:47pm: Another batch of Bersatu MPs arrives at Istana Negara in a charter bus.
Among those seen is Jeli MP Datuk Seri Mustapa Mohamed, while other lawmakers could not be identified as they are wearing face masks.
11:49am: A bus ferrying Bersatu and independent lawmakers is seen exiting the palace.
Bandar Tun Razak MP Datuk Kamarudin Jaafar, Tebrau’s Steven Choong and Sng are spotted on board.
11:38am: Annuar leaves in a black Toyota Alphard.
Jelebu MP Datuk Seri Jalaluddin Alias and Maran’s Datuk Seri Ismail Abd Muttalib follow suit.
11:29am: Najib is the first to exit via Gate 2 in a black Proton Perdana. He waves to the waiting press as the vehicle leaves the palace grounds.
Khairy and an unidentified MP are also seen making their way out.
10:43am: Bersatu MPs arrive via a charter bus, including Alor Gajah’s Datuk Seri Mohd Redzuan Md Yusof.
Larry Sng, independent lawmaker for Julau, is seen sitting in front.
10.35am: A charter bus ferrying Umno MPs arrives at Gate 2 of Istana Negara.
Seen aboard are Arau MP Datuk Seri Shahidan Kassim, who waved to the media, as well as Khairy Jamaluddin (Rembau) and Tan Sri Annuar Musa (Ketereh).
A convoy of vehicles follows, including one carrying Pekan MP Datuk Seri Najib Razak.
9.35am: Chief Secretary to the Government Tan Sri Mohd Zuki Ali enters via Gate 2.
9.24am: Attorney-General Tan Sri Idrus Harun enters the palace complex. – The Vibes, August 19, 2021
